BNP Finance Mystery Slammed

BNP Leader Nick Griffin is under attack after his own auditors refused to sign off the BNP’s financial records.

All political parties with a turnover higher than £250,000 are required by law to submit accounts to the Electoral Commission each year. 

The BNP accounts, which should have been submitted in July this year were finally handed over this month.  In 2006 the BNP were fined £1000 by the Electoral Commission for the same offence.

In the financial report, the BNP’s auditors said the accounts do not give a ‘true and fair view’ of his party’s affairs and also stated that ‘it cannot be said that the accounts comply with the requirements of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000’.  This is the law that governs political parties in the UK.

Griffin is also listed in the accounts under the heading “Staffing and Management” along with Martin and Tina Wingfield who are now on his personal staff, paid for by the European Parliament.

North West Liberal Democrat Chris Davies MEP slammed Griffin in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Said Davies, “Before Nick Griffin tries to smear the reputation of others let him explain why the party he leads has failed, twice, to submit its accounts on time to Britains Electoral Commission.

“Many suspect that money from his party’s members has been used for personal gain.  If he denies it then perhaps Mr Griffin could produce a set of accounts that his auditors will approve.”

Davies was responding to allegations by Griffin that he was a ‘lobbyist’ for wind technology as he owns some shares in a wind farm company.

Davies said, “I’m proud to be an advocate of low carbon technologies to fight climate change.  I have never requested nor been paid a penny for my work, I do it because I believe in it.”

The full set of accounts can be found on the Electoral Commission website at the following link:

http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/party-finance/database-of-registers/statements-of-accounts/soa/pdfs/soa_16-12-09_10-42-12.pdf

Video of Chris Davies’ speech in the European Parliament covered by absolute privilege can be seen at:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_aGq5hSHLY